Fixed Mobile Convergence

HID Global, trusted leader in solutions for the delivery of secure identity, recently announced in a press release that it will support the company’s iCLASS digital keys and mobile secure identity on NFC-enabled BlackBerry (News - Alert) smartphones. As a result, BlackBerry devices like Bold 9900/9930 and Curve 9350/9360 will now be integrated with a large installed base of iCLASS readers, and will be able to work for applications ranging from physical access systems in buildings, to student IDs, to applications that track time and attendance.

With iCLASS digital credentials in their BlackBerry smartphones, users will be able to use their devices for authentication by simply holding them in front of a reader, just like they do today with a physical iCLASS smartcard.  

 “This industry first is an important milestone in the deployment of mobile access and identity solutions using NFC technology on smartphones,” said Dr. Tam Hulusi, senior vice president of strategic innovation with HID Global, in a statement. “We will continue to innovate in the delivery of secure identity, as NFC-enabled smartphones represent a complementary new platform that we believe will expand the access control market and our online card services business while improving user security and convenience.”

 “NFC technology will enable many new and exciting capabilities for BlackBerry smartphones and we are very pleased to be working with HID Global to be the first to bring a host of secure identity and mobile access control capabilities to NFC-enabled smartphones,” said Andrew Bocking, vice president, Handheld Software Product Management at RIM, in a press release.  

HID Global will be previewing iCLASS digital keys and mobile identity credentials using the Near Field Communications (NFC) capabilities of the BlackBerry Bold 9900 smartphone at the ASIS International 2011 security conference, September 19-22, at the Orange (News - Alert) County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

Rahul Arora is a TMCnet contributor. He has worked as an editor and freelance writer for several reputed organizations in India. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Juliana Kenny